Pavithrothsavam

Pavitram Mangalam Param

Vijaya Varusham Pavitrotsavam Lecture Series

Dear Bhaktas,

The basic purpose of VEDICS Foundation is to provide various resources that will aid those desirous of learning about Srivaishnavam and help them progress spiritually and continue to learn. Towards this end, we have made several modes of interaction available in the past and continue to find more ways to associate with the rich knowledge capital that we are a part of. This series of upanyasams is an attempt to help learn all the details about an annual funtion held in all vaishnava temple around the globe called "Pavitrotsavam".

Pavitrotsavam is a compound of two words - "pavitra" and "utsavam". Utsavam means a 'festive occassion'. The word pavitra means 'purity'. Hence, this is a festive occassion that is involved in purity and purification.

One might raise the question that Swami Ramanuja refers to Sriman Narayana as "Akhila heya Pratyanika", "nirmala anantha kalyana nidhi", etc. The Azhwars eulogize him as "amalan, nimalan, ninmalan, vimalan". How is it that we are required to conduct a grand festival to the one who can repel evils and is blemishless, in the name of purity?

The answer lies in the explanations given by our very compassionate Purvacharyas to the prescriptions given in the agamas, puranas and various other pramanas. The impurities lie not with Him - The Limitless ocean of mercy, The destroyer of distress, The great sea of love. The defects lie in our nexus with him. There might be lapses in any of the various services we offer him because of the materialistic afflictions that we are susceptible to. Our ommissions might be of the mind, body, action, mantras or bhakti. In order to compensate or make up for these annual ommissions, the pavitrotsavam is undertaken and all the rituals of the year are repeated in that span of time.

Many more such intersting aspects are brought to the fore and discussed by several erudite scholars. There are also descriptions of the unique aspects of the utsavam as it happens in Srirangam, Tirunarayanapuram and a few other places. We have also attempted to include expositions in multiple languages. As always, we appreciate your taking the time to visit vedics.org and invite you to share these rare talks with friends, family and loved ones. We run some social media campaigns that you can be a part of and help spread the good word.